Councillor says Pickering shouldn’t pass up vacant school property

Property cost estimated at $2 million

St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School O'Connell outisde

Ryan Pfeiffer / Metroland

PICKERING -- St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School was declared surplus by the school board last fall and the City of Pickering was given the chance to buy it. City staff have recommended against it, but Councillor Jennifer O'Connell says there is a shortage of urban land and recreation space in Pickering and that the opportunity shouldn't be passed up. February 10, 2014.

St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School O'Connell sign

Ryan Pfeiffer / Metroland

PICKERING -- St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School was declared surplus by the school board last fall and the City of Pickering was given the chance to buy it. City staff have recommended against it, but Councillor Jennifer O'Connell says there is a shortage of urban land and recreation space in Pickering and that the opportunity shouldn't be passed up. February 10, 2014.

PICKERING -- A Pickering councillor says the City shouldn’t be passing up opportunities to buy vacant schools when there is a shortage of available urban land and recreation space.

Councillor Jennifer O’Connell is concerned by a recent City report that recommends Pickering bypass the option to purchase St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School, which was declared surplus by the school board last fall.

“I see a lot of potential for this property,” she says. “I think to pass this up so quickly is a mistake.” Coun. O’Connell also questions why the report from City staff doesn’t include the purchase price for the property or details about the condition of the building, saying council can’t make an informed decision without all the facts.

City CAO Tony Prevedel says the school board wouldn’t provide an appraised value for the property, which is why there are no figures in the report.

However, he estimates the value of the land at between $1.8 million and $2 million, plus the cost of the building.

“At the staff level we couldn’t make a business case for purchasing it,” he says, adding that council has the option of changing that direction.

On Jan. 27 council voted to table the issue to get more information.

The Jan. 29 deadline for the City to express interest in the property has come and gone, which means it will now go to the open market.

Coun. O’Connell plans to move a motion at council’s Feb. 28 meeting for the City to make an offer on the property, if the price is right.

The 1.2-hectare school property is located at 1765 Meadowview Ave., adjacent to Shadybrook Park.

Built in 1983, the school is 34,866 square feet and houses 12 classrooms, a library, gym, change rooms, lunch room, seminar rooms and administrative areas.

Coun. O’Connell says there is potential for the building to be used by local community and recreation groups, or for the land to be used to expand Shadybrook Park.

“I don’t think the City looked extensively enough at our needs,” she notes. “Expansion of the park could be a real asset to the community. In new areas we’re building big village greens and district parks ... it would be a nice idea for the City to create some new greenspace for these existing urban residents.”